The Uses of Temptation

The soul, in its journey towards perfection, passes through three distinct stages. The first is the animal stage, in which the man is content to live, in the gratification of his senses, unawakened to the knowledge of sin, or of his divine inheritance, and altogether unconscious of the spiritual possibilities within himself. The second is the dual stage, in which the mind is continually oscillating between its animal and divine tendencies having...

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The Overcoming of Self

Many people have very confused and erroneous ideas concerning the terms “the overcoming of self”, “the eradication of desire”, and “the annihilation of the personality.” Some (particularly the intellectual who are prone to theories) regard it as a metaphysical theory altogether apart from life and conduct; while others conclude that it is the crushing out of all life, energy and action, and the attempt to idealize stagnation and death. These errors...

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True Happiness

To maintain an unchangeable sweetness of disposition, to think only thoughts that are pure and gentle, and to be happy under all circumstances - such blessed conditions and such beauty of character and life should be the aim of all, and particularly so of those who wish to lessen the misery of the world. If anyone has failed to lift himself above ungentleness, impurity, and unhappiness, he is greatly deluded if he imagines he can make the world...

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Building Energy and Battling Stress

Do you feel like you have too big a work load and piles and piles of paper are always on top of your desk? Do you feel that there are so many things to do yet you have little time to do them? Are you having trouble meeting the deadline in school and at work? Are you disturbed by unexpected circumstances and situations which ruin your schedule? Everyone experiences all of these things at one time or another, and they can be summarized in just one...

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Following Sleeping Patterns

In life, there are three steps to building up energy which have been taught in schools: food, exercise and sleeping. These are the three elements that create energy and sustain one person to do all the things that he is supposed to accomplish for that day. Now, let us study one particular element – sleeping. Ever since you were young, you have been taught to sleep at least eight hours a day. Sometimes, when you lack sleep, you lack the energy...

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The Power of the Mind

Have you ever heard of this old adage, “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” Well, let me rephrase this a little bit. What if we change some of those words to come out with a saying like this one: “Tell me what you have in your mind and I’ll tell you who you are.” Do you think this saying could be true? Do you think that the mind can really have an adverse effect on who you are and what it does to your physical self? There...

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Alternative Exercise Techniques

Reiki and Seichim The name Reiki means “life force energy”. On the other hand, Seichim is defined as “the sacred power or might.” Bring these two exercise techniques together and you have the unlimited energy that you need for everyday obligations and responsibilities. Reiki and Seichim techniques are basically very peaceful and calming techniques to counterattack stress, anxiety, depression and panic. They bring balance and harmony to one’s...

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Exercise Programs

A visit to the gym gives you suggestions and ideas on how to get trim, get into shape and bring your energy a notch higher. You will find machines such as the treadmill, the dumbbells and the stair lifter, as well as instructors of impressive muscular build; to some people, they are an encouraging sight because who wouldn't want to look like them? These people could definitely lift you up on one shoulder in an instant and could protect you from...

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Food and Eating Habits

The Go, Grow and Glow Foods Okay, let’s face it. Children, especially, love to drink sodas, they love to eat candies and chocolates (and in some cases, almost every day), and love to eat the same kind of food every day despite the insistence of parents to try out another type of food. But the insistence goes beyond that. And in this first chapter, we introduce the basic food groups that not only children, but adults as well, should find healthy...

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Spirituality and Stress

Seldom do we celebrate life’s wonders with the attitude of gratitude. Parents take their children for granted instead of marveling at their uniqueness and development. Students become desensitized to the beauty surrounding them on campus. Professors forget to appreciate the cloistered environs in which they are honored by being allowed to devote their careers to labors of love. And creation itself often receive short shrift in a hurried society...

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Relaxation Techniques

Diaphragmatic Breathing This is what we call very deep breathing, and it is quite effective as an immediate response to stress. To practice diaphragmatic breathing, lie on your back, with the palms of your hands placed on your lower stomach area. As you breathe, expand your chest area while keeping your tummy flat. Next, expand your abdomen so that your stomach rises and falls with each breath while chest size remains relatively constant. Practice...

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Autogenic Training

Autogenic Training Defined German psychiatrist Johannes Schultz had used hypnosis with his patients. In 1923, he developed autogenic training, which consists of a series of exercises designed to bring about these two physical sensations and, thereby, an auto-hypnotic state. Autogenic training is a technique to treat neurotic patients and those with psychosomatic illnesses. However, its use quickly expanded to healthy people who wanted to regulate...

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Meditation

Understanding Meditation Meditation is simply a mental exercise that affects body processes. Just as physical exercise has certain psychological benefits, meditation has certain physical benefits. The purpose of meditation is to gain control over your attention so that you can choose what to focus on rather than being subject to the unpredictable ebb and flow of environmental circumstances. Types of Meditation Transcendental meditation is but...

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Stress Management Techniques and Strategies

While some life situation interventions can be successfully employed when no one else is directly involved, there are interventions that are useful when the situation involves other people as well as yourself. Asserting Yourself Men and women who find it difficult to say “no” when asked by the boss if they can handle one other chore or responsibility, and youths who can’t say no to friends when teased into trying a mood-altering substance, have...

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